Box-lid holder



(No Model.)

W. T. MARSH.

. BOX LID HOLDER. No. 573,156. Patented Dec. 15, 1896.

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YVILLIAM T. MARSH, OF RICH HILL, MISSOURI.

BOX-LID HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 573,156, dated December 15, 1896. Application filed May 12, 1896. Serial No. 591,260. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM T. MARsH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rich Hill, in the county of Bates and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Box- Lid Holder, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to box-lid holders; and the object in view is to provide a simple and efficient articleof the nature referred to which will support the lid of a box in Vertical position or at any desired angle for the purpose of displaying the contents of the box and also the name or brand printed or otherwise represented upon the inside surface ofsuch lid or cover.

The device is particularly designed for use in connection with cigar-boxes, but may of course be used upon any box having an attached or hinged lid.

The invention consists in an improved boxlid holder embodying novel features and details of construction, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved holder, shown applied to a box and upholding the lid thereof. Fig. 2 is a detail vertical section showing the manner in which the holder e11- gages the end of the box. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of a slightly-modified form of holder. Fig. at is a detail vertical section showing the manner in which the last-named holder engages the end of the box.

Similarnumerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The improved box-lid holder contemplated in the present invention is preferably formed from a sheet-metal blank and comprises a main body 1 of substantially quadrantal form. Where it is desired to hold the boxlid in a vertical position, the body 1 is made in the exact form of a quadrant, but should it be desired to hold the lid farther open, or opened to a less extent, the body 1 is proportionately in creased or decreased,but still preferably retains the form of the segment of a circle or disk. At its rear edge the body 1 is provided with flaps or extensions, preferably three in number, which are bent at right an gles to form inwardly-extending lips 2 and 3. These lips are arranged in diiferent vertical planes, and two of the lips are arranged in a plane in rear of the other intermediate lip, so that while the upper and lower lips oceup ya position in rear of the box-lid theintermediate lip will bear against the front or inner surface of the lid when in its raised position. This disposition of the lips may, however, be reversed, or the upper and lower lips arranged to engage the front or inner surface of the lid, while the single intermediate lip engages the top or rear surface of thelid. The lips 2 and 3 also converge toward theirends, so as to obtain a firmer hold upon the lid.

At the bottom or horizontal edge of the body 1 a flap 4 is bent at right angles to form a horizontal ledge or rest which bears against the top edge of the end of the box, and at the front and rear of this flap are other flaps or extensions 5 and 6, which project in to the box and bear against the inner surface of the box end. The front flap or extension 6 is made longer than the rear one 5 and is provided at its bottom edge with outwardly-projeoting teeth for gripping the box end. Upon the out-side of the box end is arranged aplate or jaw '7, which is connected intermediate its ends to the body 1 by means of a U-shaped spring 8. This spring is located between the plates 7 and the body 1 in the proximal horizontal plane of the horizontal rest 4:, and the terminals 9 of the spring are extended in opposite directions through openings 10 in said parts, thence along the opposite surfaces thereof, and reentered through other openings 11, after which they are clenched against the inner adjacent surfaces of the plate or jaw 7 and the body 1.

The plate or jaw 7 is provided at its bottom edge with inwardly-projecting teeth, which cooperate with those 011 the flap or extension 6 to firmly grasp the box end. In applying the holder the lid is engaged between the lips 2 and 3, after which the holder is moved downward until the flap 6 and plate or jaw 7 embrace and straddle the box end, as shown in Fig. 1. \Vhen the horizontal rest contacts with the upper edge of the box end, the plate 7 is released and the boxlid will remain open until the holder is again removed.

The holder illustrated in Figs. 3 and at is the same as that hereinabove described, with the exception only that the plate or jaw 7 and its spring are dispensed with, and in lieu thereof a depending flap or extension 12 is provided opposite to the extension 6 and adapted to lie upon the outside of the box end. The lower end of this extension is slotted to receive pivotally a clamp 13, having a diskshaped thumb-piece 14:, whereby it may be vibrated, and having a cam-shaped or laterally-extended head 15, ad apted to bear against the outer surface of the box in aplane slightly above the teeth at the bottom end of the extension 6. hen the upper edge of the box end is introduced between the parts 6 and 12 and the clamp is vibrated, the teeth on the part 6 are caused to become embedded in the inner surface of the box, and by reason of the head 15 of the clamp being in a higher plane than such teeth the clamp will itself be locked and prevented from accidentally disengaging itself, so as to permit the disengagement of the teeth referred to.

It will be apparent that the holder hereinabove described may be ornamented or finished in any desired or preferred manner and constructed of any'suitable material and that it may be varied in form, according to the angle to which it is desired .to bring the boxlid. The holder may be made to fit either end of the box, or two holders may be employed uponthe same box, if desired. The

holders are particularly designed for cigarboxes, as they facilitate the proper display of the goods to the best advantage, present the illuminated label upon the inner surface of the lid to view, and enable the dealer to place a larger number of boxes in the case at one and the same time.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction, which may accordingly be resorted to without departing from the spirit orsacrifi'cing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isl. A box-lid holder made in the form of a quadrant and having spaced lips for engaging the box-lid, a flap or extension for engaging one surface of the end of the box, and a clamping-j aw pivotally connected to the body of the holder and arranged opposite said flap for engaging the opposite surface of the end of the box, substantially as described.

2. In a box-lid holder, the combination with the main body thereof having provision for engaging the box-lid and provided with a depending extension bearing against the inner surface of the box, in combination with a movable jaw for engaging the outer surface of the box, and a spring. interposed between the movable jaw and the body of the holder, said spring being U-shaped and having its terminal portions inserted through openings in said jaw and body and clenched against the same, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM T. MARSH.

\Vitnesses:

GEO. A. DAVIS, JESSIE F. HUOKEBY. 

